US researchers reported that commonly used diabetes drugs such as metformin may help control lung cancer, and may help prevent it. Patients who had taken the drugs to control diabetes were much less likely to have lung cancer spread, which is when it becomes most deadly, the researchers told a meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Washington. Metformin, an older and cheaper drug available generically, had a more powerful effect than newer drugs called thiazolidinediones, TZDs or glitazones. The researchers said, their study, as well as other research, suggests an association between metformin and TZD use and the risk of developing lung cancer. Dr Peter Mazzone of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, who led the study said, unique to this study, they have been able to report less advanced cancer in those who do develop cancer, a decreased frequency of squamous cell and small cell carcinomas, and improved survival, when controlled for stage, in people taking metformin or TZDs.’ The team reviewed the medical records of 157 lung cancer survivors with diabetes.